Match Report

ST. THOMAS MORE – 5 : 7 – MARDEN

The Year 8 boys began their season in superb style with a thrilling 7-5 win away to league champions St. Thomas More in a topsy turvy twelve goal thriller.

There were chances for both sides in an entertaining half, with Tommy More hitting both the post and bar, and Marden’s Luke Monaghan hitting the inside of the post when clean through. Despite taking an early lead through a Theo Riley goal, Marden trailed 4-1 at half time to a team that had beaten them 5-2 in last year’s league encounter, but some tactical changes and a double substitution changed the game on its head.

Riley went close again, blazing over from close range after Monaghan had once again struck the woodwork, before pacey substitute Will Kelly’s shot fell for Riley to score his second. There was no let up, with Riley and Monaghan both scoring a hat-trick apiece as Marden suddenly turned the game on its head and stormed into a 6-4 lead.

There were excellent performances throughout, with Dan Henderson and Thomas Stoetzel controlling the midfield, and solid defensive work from Jack Ashworth and captain Sam Allonby.

St. Thomas More pulled a goal back towards the end to make it a nervy finish, and even brought their goalkeeper up for a corner to try and snatch an equaliser, but Marden used their electric pace to break and Monaghan, top goalscorer last season with 11, scored his fourth and Marden’s seventh with the last kick of the game, leaving assistant coach Mr Whitehouse to reflect on an enthralling encounter, simply saying: “What a comeback, I was there!”

The Year 8s will be hoping to add to this impressive start when they entertain Wellfield at home on Wednesday 26th. Well done boys, superb result.